The Richest Man in Babylon

Clason begins this parable by introducing a Babylonian man named Bansir, who is a chariot-builder by trade. Bansir lives in poverty within the walled city of Babylon, where rich and poor live in close quarters to each other. Bansir’s best friend, the musician Kobbi, questions why Bansir is not working on a chariot since he desperately needs money. Bansir replies that he had a dream in which he was rich, and when he woke up, he had a “feeling of rebellion” and did not want to work (7). Although Bansir wishes to be “a man of means,” he now feels that no matter how hard he works, the gods will not notice or reward him (8). Kobbi replies that he feels the same way; his earnings from music-making do not last long, and he worries his family will go hungry. Bansir laments that although he works often, he feels he is “getting nowhere” (9). The two men discuss their mutual friend Arkad, a wealthy man with a constant income that keeps him comfortable. Bansir and Kobbi agree that they should go to Arkad to ask his advice and decide to invite along other friends who are struggling financially.